Realms of Gold: The Classics in Christian Perspective

by Leland Ryken

Throughout history, great literature has been a cohesive force in Western culture. It interprets our experiences and tells us the truth about our fears and longings. It is a catalyst to our thinking and an invaluable index to the minds and feelings of people around us. In 'Realms of Gold' Leland Ryken proceeds chronologically through some of the best of the best, from Homer through Shakespeare to Camus, offering not only a taste of the classics, but a framework in which to analyze them. For students studying literature, this book serves as an introduction to the classics as friends; for those who have not read the classics in a long time, it is motivation to renew delightful acquaintances; for people who already know the classics as intimate friends, it offers the opportunity to renew acquaintance within a Christian context.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christianity, Literature, Christian, Classics, Education, Books About Books

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Dr. Ryken has served on the faculty of Wheaton College since 1968. He has published over thirty books and more than one hundred articles and essays, devoting much of his scholarship to Bible translations and the study of the Bible as literature. He served as Literary Chairman for the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible and in 2003 received the distinguished Gutenberg Award for his contributions to education, writing, and the understanding of the Bible.

He is the father of Philip Graham Ryken

Reviews

[Amy Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book, although I have not actually read all of it yet. (Ha! Today I read the introduction and a few chapters on works I am interested in right now.)

The introduction is a very good defense of reading the classics in general, and for Christians in particular. Following the introduction, each chapter is devoted to a work of literature, such as Homer's Odyssey or Dickens' Great Expectations or Camus' The Stranger. Realms of Gold is helpful as a companion to those works after reading them, although Ryken does say he means for it to inspire readers to discover those classics they have not yet read. Still, I would suggest, based on the selections I read, that the chapters are more meaningful if you have read the work that is the subject of that chapter.

Again, the introduction alone is a helpful resource to understanding why classics matter, if you need convincing, or want to be able to convince others. Another excellent Ryken resource is his book Words of Delight.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christians should be lovers of fiction just as much of biography and history. The power of fiction is that it draws us more into reality, into universality. Great essays in this collection.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful resource for those who love, read, or teach the classics.

[M P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sehr gut. Aber die Wiederholungen der Argument für Literatur, Fantasie und die Klassiker ermüden. Besonders wenn man ohnehin schon davor überzeugt war.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to learn about books from people who know more about them than I do, so I was thrilled to get a copy of this book by Leland Ryken. I've been the teacher for too many years, so I enjoyed getting to sit back and be the student, learning from the wisdom of a teacher whose insights I admire and trust completely. An enjoyable companion to the classics I've already read and an introduction to some books I haven't yet gotten around to. Ryken defends the value of the classics, and then uses some of the classics as examples of what can be gained from reading. I look forward to finishing all the books he discusses in Realms of Gold.

[Jim B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite Ryken's stuffy vocabulary and overly formal style, he covers this interesting subject with many valuable observations and excellent stories (Homer, Scarlet Letter, Great Expectations, etc) to illustrate various kinds of literature and what makes it great. He also defends the use of fiction by Christians.

[Pat Roseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired me to read more of the classics, particularly the ones mentioned in this book.

[Kathy Weitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

read Jan 2014

[Carla Freeman]

Introduction that made me want to move to Chicago and get my Doctorate at Wheaton. Skimmed the rest for future reference. It is actually more of a literary companion so I will save detailed readings for research if needed.